E-Book, Englisch, Band 2, 302 Seiten
Reihe: Crossway Classic Commentaries
ISBN: 978-1-4335-3208-5
Verlag: Crossway
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Kein
Matthew is a fascinating treatment of the first Gospel. Well exegeted, accompanied by encouraging practical application, this helpful volume shares the power of God's promises fulfilled in God-become-man, Jesus Christ. Familiar passages come alive in the exposition given by a great man of faith; new gems of understanding and vision fuel heart-felt worship and new commitment for holy living.
A remarkable work sure to equip and encourage all modern-day believers!
Weitere Infos & Material
Matthew
Chapter 1
The genealogy of Christ (1:1-17) These verses begin the New Testament. Let us always read them with serious and solemn feelings. The book before us contains not "the word of men, but. . . the word of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Every verse in it was written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Let us thank God daily for giving us the Scriptures. The poorest Englishman who understands his Bible knows more about religion than the wisest philosophers of Greece and Rome. Let us never forget the deep responsibility which possession of the Bible places on us. We shall be judged on the last day according to our light. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded. Let us read the Bible reverently and diligently, with an honest determination to believe and practice all we find in it. It is no light matter how we use this book. Above all, let us never read the Bible without praying for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. He alone can apply truth to our hearts and make us profit from what we read. The New Testament begins with the history of the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. No part of the Bible is so important as this, and no part is so full and complete. Four distinct Gospels tell us the story of Christ's actions and his death. Four times we read the precious account of his works and words. How thankful we ought to be for this! To know Christ is life eternal. To believe in Christ is to have peace with God. To follow Christ is to be a true Christian. To be with Christ will be heaven itself. We can never hear too much about the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel of St. Matthew begins with a long list of names. Sixteen verses are taken up with tracing a pedigree from Abraham to David, and from David to the family in which Jesus was born. Let no one think that these verses are useless. Nothing is useless in creation. The least mosses, and the smallest insects, serve some good end. Nothing is useless in the Bible. Every word of it is inspired. The chapters and verses which seem at first sight unprofitable, are all given for some good reason. The person who looks carefully at these sixteen verses will not fail to see in them useful lessons. 1. God always keeps his word First, we learn from this list of names that God always keeps his word. He had promised that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3). He had promised to raise up a Saviour from the family of David (Isaiah 11:1). These sixteen verses prove that Jesus was the Son of David and the Son of Abraham, and that God's promise was fulfilled. Thoughtless and ungodly people should remember this lesson, and be afraid. Whatever they may think, God will keep his word. If they do not repent they will surely perish. True Christians should remember this lesson, and take comfort. Their Father in heaven will be true to all his promises. He has said that he will save all believers in Christ. If he has said it, he will certainly do it. "God is not a man, that he should lie " (Numbers 23:19)." He will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself" (2 Timothy 2:13). 2. The sinfulness and corruption of human nature Second, we learn from this list of names the sinfulness and corruption of human nature. It is instructive to observe how many godly parents in this list had wicked and ungodly sons. The names of Rehoboam, Jehoram, Amon and Jeconiah should teach us humbling lessons. They all had pious fathers. But they were all wicked men. Grace does not run in families. It needs something more than good examples and good advice to make us children of God. Those who are born again are not born "of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" (John 1:13). Praying parents should pray night and day that their children may be born of the Spirit. 3. Jesus Christ's mercy and compassion Third, we learn from this list of names how great is the mercy and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us think how polluted and unclean human nature is, and then think how he humbled himself to be born of a woman, and made "in human likeness" (Philip-pians 2:7). Some of the names we read in this list remind us of shameful and sad histories. Some of the names are of people never mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. But at the end comes the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though he is the eternal God, he humbled himself to become man, in order to provide salvation for sinners. "Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor" (2 Corinthians 8:9). We should always read this list with thankful hearts. We see here that no human being can be beyond the reach of Christ's sympathy and compassion. Our sins may have been as black and great as those of any whom St. Matthew names. But they cannot shut us out of heaven, if we repent and believe the Gospel. If the Lord Jesus was not ashamed to be born of a woman whose pedigree contained such names as those we have read today, we need not think that he will be ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters, and to give us eternal life. The incarnation and name of Christ (1:18-25) These verses begin by telling us two great truths. They tell us how the Lord Jesus Christ took our nature upon him, and became man. They tell us also that his birth was miraculous. His mother Mary was a virgin. These are very mysterious subjects. We cannot fathom these depths. They are truths which are beyond our understanding. Let us not attempt to explain things which are above our feeble reason. Let us be content to believe with reverence, and let us not speculate about matters which we cannot understand. It is enough for us to know that with him who made the world nothing is impossible. We may safely rest in the words of the Apostles' Creed: "Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary." 1. Joseph First, let us observe the conduct of Joseph described in these verses. It is a beautiful example of godly wisdom and tender consideration for others. He saw the "appearance of evil" in the one who was to be his wife. But he did nothing rashly. He waited patiently to have the line of duty made clear. In all probability he laid the matter before God in prayer. "The one who trusts will never be dismayed" (Isaiah 28:16). The patience of Joseph was graciously rewarded. He received a direct message from God on the subject of his anxiety, and was at once relieved from all his fears. How good it is to wait upon God! Who has ever cast his cares upon God in sincere prayer, and found him to fail? "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:6). 2. The two names given to our Lord Second, let us observe in these verses the two names given to our Lord. One is "Jesus," the other "Emmanuel." One describes his office, the other his nature. Both are deeply interesting. The name Jesus means "Saviour." It is the same name as "Joshua" in the Old Testament. It is given to our Lord because "he saves his people from their sins." This is his special office. He saves them from the guilt of sin, by washing them in his own atoning blood. He saves them from the dominion of sin, by putting in their hearts the sanctifying Spirit. He saves them from the presence of sin, when he takes them out of this world to rest with him. He will save them from all the consequences of sin, when he gives them a glorious body at the last day. Blessed and holy are Christ's people! From sorrow, cross and conflict they are not saved; but they are "saved from sin" for evermore. They are cleansed from guilt by Christ's blood. They are made fit for heaven by Christ's Spirit. This is salvation! The person who clings to sin is not yet saved. "Jesus" is a very encouraging name to heavy-laden sinners. He who is King of kings and Lord of lords might lawfully have taken some more high-sounding title. But he did not do so. The rulers of this world have often called themselves Great, Conqueror, Bold, Magnificent, and the like. The Son of God was content to call himself "Saviour." The souls who desire salvation may draw close to the Father with boldness, and have access with confidence through Christ. It is his office and his delight to show mercy. "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:17). Jesus is a name which is especially sweet and precious to believers. It has often done them good when the favor of kings and princes would have been disregarded. It has given them what money cannot buy, an inner peace. It has eased their weary consciences, and given rest to their heavy hearts. The Song of Songs speaks of the experience of many, when it says, "Your name is like perfume poured out" (Song of Songs 1:3). Happy is the person who trusts not merely in vague notions of God's mercy and goodness, but in "Jesus." The name "Emmanuel" is seldom found in the Bible, but it is scarcely less interesting than the name "Jesus." It is the name which is given to our Lord from his nature as God-man, as "God revealed in the body." It means "God with us." Let us take care that we clearly understand...
